Dog walk

If you wonder why Brent is in the tree – well – the business park across from our condo is the go to place when Duke or Dezzie are injured. Since we can’t take them on a proper walk somewhere far and fun. And right now Duke is injured, that dodo. Nothing can be done – so we take them for sweet short walks to Dezzie’s mental dismay.

And tree climbing seemed like JUST the thing at this time.

 

Play date

Today we took Macy (neighbor across from us) on a little trike play date. The tiny business complex across the street from our condo community (think a resting place for every old hag in body and soul, God forgive me if I’m being unfair to that one or two other people by naming them thusly) has a pretty walkway with lots of lawn.

As usual mama and Kristi do the #discuss life in general, while kids play and be cute. This time I got some pictures.

I must say it’s lovely to have these neighbors, while we don’t always agree on everything, Kristi is a very sweet woman that reminds me of myself a bit except with a lot more handle on her aggressions. Lol. I admit kiddoes – my anger issues better work themselves out and fast like. I’m working on it!

High school and old creek - revisited.

Lots of pictures of Loggy – since he’s such an adorable HAM!!! I’m in process of getting pictures back from Grandpa’s so I can post all the adorable pictures of Brent when he was younger. Both boys are incredibly handsome.

Today we went by the school with ONE rocket engine. Everyone was mad at mama because apparently it’s MY job to remember everything (kids, I barely remember my own name. On a GOOD day!!!)

At any rate it was awesome anyways. We went, launched a rocket, found a tennis ball. Dogs were actually behaving with none of that anxious barking. They finally realized that we tie them up because there’s something extremely volatile and possibly dangerous for them being blown up to the sky. LOL

After the school we all went to the creek and dipped our feet, and Logan. Mainly because he doesn’t get a say whether he wants to or not, and he’s so thoroughly chunky-monkey that he doesn’t mind it a bit on the cold side. Cruel? Maybe. Funny? Only for now. He’ll start talking soon. Then I’m going to hear it ALL. Lol

Mama slipped at the creek and almost ended Loggy as we know him – people BE CAREFUL WITH WET CEMENT!!! But God was looking out for us. So nothing happened, except for me slipping and shouting in surprise.  Thank the Lord.

Yes – I thank the Lord on regular (daily) basis that he looks out for you two kids. Because we’re such an outgoing family – there’s been more than a handful of dangerous instances and each time God interceded in what could have been bad things in near accidents. Considering daddy and I are usually INCREDIBLY CAREFUL and take ALL precautions to keep you both safe.

Still had ton of fun, chased and caught some frogs – which happens to be Daddy’s and Brent’s favorite pastime.

Trip to Stockton

First things first.

The tacos at this old joint that daddy used to frequent – are so simple yet delicious. Soft, chunky, salty meat, paired with cool lettuce and tomatoes, and topped with salty fresh cheese. Simple, yet satisfying.

This of course was on the way to see daddy’s old uncle Ken. He apparently was diagnosed with death on the doorsteps. His daughter Stephanie was there and so was his sister (your daddy’s mom) taking care of him and watching him slowly come off every drug he ever took.

Doctors gave him hours to live, due to numerous (five) blood clots in his brain, and fact that he simply is weathered and old.

I asked God to give uncle Ken a chance to redeem himself before he goes. And somehow not only he’s still alive to the date (I actually wrote this article on 8/7/2012), but his blood clots are gone and supposedly he didn’t have any drugs in his system as of last check up. (people that say miracles don’t happen, take a step back)

 

Logan and Brent were VERY good, considering that nobody let them into the room with all the beepy and bleepy buttons and lights.

We also happened by daddy’s grandma’s house. Unfortunately I did not take pictures of that place. A very mentally lost uncle Phil lives there. And while there are a few happy memories of family get-togethers there for your daddy, it is an old place and very small. Kind of reminded me of my own grandma’s house. Except this one was bigger and full of cigarette smoke and clutter. Uncle Phil is an artistic hoarder. He spent nearly a lifetime filling his old room with knick-knacks and toys and crap. And it’s now at a point where no one can walk into it. Looks like something out of a scary movie – there was so much stuff I couldn’t even focus.

All in all God is good folks, a) we don’t have to live there, b) uncle Ken is doing better :)

CA State Fair.

What fun!

okay - here's the pics:

Note to all parents of young ones. When going to state fair – consider the HOT WEATHER. Uncle Johnny and his girlfriend went earlier in the day and ended up darting in and out of shady spots.
When daddy and I took the kids – we barely had 3 hours to walk around. 3 hours hardly worth the darn money that we spent.

At least not at first. Then we got Brent on some rides and watched him laugh and giggle. Then of course it’s all worth it. Logan wondered why mother keeps leaving him all the time.

One ride that daddy and Brent did that I don’t have pictures of (or videos) is the log ride. Excellent oldie but a goodie. Brent loved it as well. (of course!)

New bike!

 We got a new addition:
Thrift store special $8 - new bike, well New Used bike. We're all about recycling and reusing :)

Daddy tried a trick with coffee can and a little firework that didn't work out. ah well :)

We're still on a hunt for perfect training wheels. Surprisingly difficult to find.

On well being.

These are some cute babies.

We went hiking, swimming and basically doing our usual today. Brent did some work, and of course helped mama clean up and do his workbook - so nothing too exciting. And this picture was taken somewhat later in the day when both kiddos were completely conked out.
Ah - every parent must strive for this. When they can go out to the living room, plop on the couch and just enjoy themselves without  too much worry for just a minute.
I must say with high energy kids like these - it's somewhat difficult to get there without burning our own candle at both ends.
Lucky for me I have run out of coffee about a week ago - so no heavy burnout on my end. Just regular ol' tired. And daddy is just like a happy bulldozer - goes right through the day happy (most of the time) and  strong.

Man this picture is so good I'd put it in my locket. If Brent hasn't broken  it a while back. HA.

I do have to reiterate tho, kids and little kids especially NEED a healthy diet to go with their outdoorsy  style of life. They need good nutrition. Veggies, meats and grain of some sort. Otherwise, it's no good. Their legs will hurt, their bodies will hurt and their mental states will suffer.
Temper tantrums, legs hurting, tears out of nowhere, crankiness. All that.
Also - kids need a  lot of rest. So keep it quiet while they sleep but got to step it up as soon as they wake up. To keep these things balanced is almost difficult, but not impossible.

Of course I AM exhausted at least once a week :) But it's all worth it.

Woot.

Well, Sunday is here.
Church as usual. We listen to some new (to us) dude talk about "game of thrones" - a very inspirational speech about things like our personal space and circle of influence, and how most people are very specific and small - influencing only friends and family, while others may go as far as ruling and influencing whole countries.
Good stuff.

We had a good time at Grandpa's house - we also took the big giant tv back to our house - cause, well it's overdue and I finally set up the living room almost like I wanted it. It was only missing a tv - so there it is. Toy Story NEVER looked this good boys :)

After which we went for a walk, and ended up running into a...............

 
 (take a guess kids?) Rattler!!
If you guessed right you win a .... jelly bean.

We've been running into those a LOT lately. Luckily, God has been looking out for us and our dogs. God knows how often we came close to stepping on one, they seriously just POP out of nowhere.

Saturday

Let me think. What happened this Saturday... (like most of my posts I date them for the day of subject matter but write them slightly POST).

I know I got to pray. About many things, mostly God's will. Cause remember kiddies, no matter what we do - if God has chosen for certain things to go down a certain way - we hardly can deny it.

Been listening to catholic radio quite a bit recently.
(this station is Not an indication of our particular branch of Christian, cause daddy got baptized catholic, mama orthodox and nowadays we happen to go to baptist church, or so we were told.)
They talk about several issues in life, things that are happening globally and domestically. Some of it is very interesting, and some is like meh?

Did you kids realize that abortion of babies is legal today?
(when we kill a life before it's born)
yeah I know. Crazy. We Have to spay and neuter our pets, but when it comes to people - they can just have sex at will and if they get pregnant - they can illuminate the baby without so much as a blink of an eye.
This particular issue disturbs us. Fact that somehow very YOUNG children get involved in this process  (barely having their reproductive organs working and already having abortions??) is just adding salt to the wound.

Any parent that had their baby in NICU for even a brief moment after birth would feel the same as your parents. Worried sick that anything else may happen to their children. Ready to put aside our loving and compassionate, very Christian natures in order to rip heads off people barehanded - if they choose to hurt our children. (Believe me kids, we're not the only ones that want to protect our young, either).

And then there are these harlots.. demons? I mean who - could do it? I can't even guess at the nature of their souls and minds to systematically have an abortion, over and over and then decide to "keep one".

It's true, not everyone has the same story. LOL no wait - most of them do. But - there are exceptions. Horrible crimes like rape. Where a boy or a girl don't have a CHOICE in whether they have sex or not. And a baby may be an aftermath.

That particular field just boggles my mind however. The victims do not even come close to having a single soul understand them, try to reach out to them, help them.
They are left with misunderstanding of events, clouded judgement, and pain, lots and lots of pain - simply due to the fact that they can't get proper kind of help. So they also often abort. Causing themselves temporary relief and a lifelong regret somewhere down the road. Of course this regret wouldn't be so apparent due to anger that often accompanies the rape... but whatever.

So we get tons of people having sex, most of them consensually. Getting pregnant and then aborting at pretty much any time during gestation.


I truly believe that if the girls and boys were much more informed about what goes on in their bodies before, during and after sex, coupled with the video of an abortion of a late term pregnancy in ALL it's bloody detail - some may change their minds about sex. Maybe.

Anyways - mother is ranting, kids. It can't be helped ;) I'm the type of person that when I get something on my mind I have to share. I love you babies. Be good.

Friday

Lo and behold kiddies.

Somehow your mother's friends Still didn't dump her.
LOL

after not seeing Mary for a year (almost) we finally made a plan happen. Went to the lake. It was Awesome!

After seeing ALL the pics I decided 3 things:
1) my kids are most adorable kids on the planet
2) Mary hasn't changed a bit
3) I have grown. And not only in that good spiritual way, but in pant size. There was a time when I wasn't chunky. Daddy knows - he married me then. LOL

anyways - pics: